Hearing Aid Repairs
Although you may be doing all the right things like keeping up with maintenance visits and taking care of your hearing aids, over time, it’s possible that your hearing aids may eventually wear out like other forms of technology might.
Sometimes, replacing your damaged hearing aids may be the best option for you; however; it also becomes a great opportunity to upgrade your hearing aid technology.
Common Tips for Hearing Aid Repairs at Home
If one or both of your hearing aids are not working properly, here are some common hearing aid repairs that you can try at home:
- Replacing the battery
- Remove and re-insert your hearing aid
- Clean your hearing aid using your cleaning tool
- Replacing the wax filter (ask your healthcare provider to show you how)
- Make sure the battery compartment is free of obstructions
- Place hearing aids in charger and take them out to restart them
- Check your input settings
- If you are unable to try any of these quick tricks, call your Audiologist and they will be happy to do it for you
How Much do Hearing Aid Repairs Cost?
This is not always a black and white answer. The cost differs on a number of different variables such as:
- Whether the hearing aid is still under warranty
- How damaged the device is
- The cost of a replacement part needed for your device
If you purchased your devices from Audiology Island, it is likely you will have a hearing aid warranty for 1-3 years given the type of device you may have purchased. There are also options to extend your warranty once your initial warranty date has expired. And if your hearing aids are under warranty, its likely repairs will be minimal or at no cost at all.
When is Your Hearing Aid Beyond Repair
It takes a hearing care professional to correctly diagnose a hearing aid beyond repair. Although, you can probably assume your hearing aids are damaged beyond repair if:
- Your devices are more than three years old. A hearing aid typical lifespan is between three to five years
- There is visible damage to your hearing aids. Even if the hearing aid does not look “that bad” if it has been stepped on, smashed, and not working properly, it may be unfixable.
- Your hearing aids have a lengthy repair history. If your hearing aids have gone through multiple repairs already for the same or different issues, it may be beyond saving.
It can be tricky at times to balance the cost of hearing aid repairs and deciding if a new hearing device is needed. This is why it’s important to have a hearing healthcare provider to help you determine what the right course of action will be for you after diagnosing the damage and repair costs of your hearing aids.
Our Doctors of Audiology
Request Your Appointment
If you are experiencing difficulties with your hearing aids do not hesitate to contact us. It could be something as simple as hearing aids being clogged with wax. Most of the time we can fix your hearing aids right on the spot in the office without having to send them out for repair.
Patient Information
Given how lightweight and small hearing aids have become over the last several years, you can imagine how delicate its parts can be. Any type of excessive force to the outside of the hearing aid not only cause scratches and dents to the outside but may compromise the function of the hearing aid permanently. Other than physical damage, excessive moisture can also cause damage to the hearing aid. Remember, hearing aids are water resistant not waterproof. No showering and definitely no swimming!
If you contact your insurer’s customer service telephone number, they may be able to give you information; however, most often insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aid repairs outside of your hearing aid warranty. If your hearing aid is out of warranty, extending your warranty may also be an option for you. Please call our office and we would be happy to speak to you about your hearing aid warranty and how to extend it if needed!
Only a hearing care professional can truly diagnose a hearing aid problem. However, if you have tried the quick tips and tricks on how to troubleshoot your hearing aids above, and your hearing aids are still not working, they may be damaged beyond repair. Talk to your hearing care professional before deeming your device broken.
a) Swimming or showering without removing your hearing devices may cause permanent internal damage to them. b) If your hearing aids are not properly fit and secure inside your ear, you risk damaging them when participating in physical activities by having them fall out.
Our practice can first help diagnose the problem and possibly fix your hearing aids in the office! In some cases though, hearing aids may have to be sent out to the manufacturer for internal hearing aid repairs. For hearing aids that are under warranty, the cost may be minimal or none at all. If it is out of warranty it may cost more. Ask your hearing care professional about your hearing aid’s warranty.
